Entries Open for Nottingham’s Speedo Big Swim

Entries are now open for the The Speedo Big Nottingham Swim at Holme Pierrepont National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham on 23 July. The open water swimming event, which has a new name this year, takes place as part of a spectacular weekend of sport that includes the award-winning Outlaw Triathlon on 24 July.

The swim event attracted hundreds last summer, including all levels from complete beginners to Olympic heroes.

Competitors will have the choice of a 500m, 1500m or 3000m open water swim, to raise money for the British Heart Foundation. The swim courses will be easy to navigate along the banks of the regatta lake, with enormous yellow buoys marking out the turnaround points – making it ideal for novices.

Swimmers aged 11 to infinity are invited to challenge themselves to swimming in open water, either wearing a wetsuit or traditional swimwear. In fact, any swimwear goes, as long as it’s decent!

1984 Olympian, Gaynor Willis (nee Stanley) will be back this year, supporting the event personally and through her business SwimShop, who are involved in supporting the event.

She said: “I took part in the 500m event last year with my two sons. Many of our staff also had a go, and my nephew did the 3000m event. It was such a fun day. I’d recommend anyone to have a go. I may have been an Olympic swimmer, but this was my first time in open water and I got a huge sense of achievement just from finishing.”

Swimmers taking part in the event will have the opportunity to take up four free open water swimming training sessions in the lead up to the event.

Nottinghamshire County Council’s Sarah Williams said: “This is a great opportunity to challenge yourself to try something new, and we hope people will come along to the free taster sessions to help get maximum enjoyment out of the day. This is a fantastic event in a safe and friendly environment. With the right preparation, anybody can have a go!”

Swimmers can opt into the free taster sessions at the point of entry, and will be contacted with more details. New for 2011 will also be the option to hire wetsuits. More details will be available on the event website. Entries are open now via https://www.onestepbeyond.org.uk.

Outlaw Competitors are invited to take up the opportunity of a free warm up swim at 11.30am on Saturday 23 July. They will go on to complete an amazing 2.4mile swim, 112mile bike ride and 26.2run the following day – all within a time limit if 17 hours. The event was recently voted Event of the Year by 220 Triathlon Magazine.